Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia\u2019s Food and Drug Supervisory Agency\n(BPOM) has said that the mRNA-based dengue vaccine being developed by\nthe University of Indonesia and Tsinghua University will not only help\nIndonesia but also the world, and it therefore supports the project by\nensuring its safety and efficacy.<\/p>\n
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said in Jakarta on Wednesday that around 390\nmillion people globally are infected with the dengue virus each year.\nData from the Ministry of Health show that each year, 161,000 people in\nIndonesia are infected with the virus, and 700 die from the disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important discovery, and we can develop even more,\u201d said\nTaruna at the launch of the mRNA Dengue Vaccine Prototype.<\/p>\n
He explained that mRNA technology has several advantages: it is more\nstable, efficacious, advanced and easy to develop.<\/p>\n
He noted that although the vaccine is not yet finished, the discovery\nrepresents a very important first step.<\/p>\n
Taruna said he hopes the collaboration can help tackle the disease\nworldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the collaboration between two great universities and\ninstitutions from around the world, including the University of\nIndonesia and Tsinghua University \u2014 I believe the results will progress\nand turn out well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On that occasion, he said he also appreciated those who had involved\nBPOM in the vaccine\u2019s development from the outset. According to him,\nthat involvement has given the agency a better understanding of the\nstandards, methods and characteristics involved, enabling it to support\nthe project more precisely.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we will make history here. The world\u2019s first mRNA vaccine\nfor dengue fever,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, from the pre-clinical trials we conducted, the antibody\ntitres for neutralising the dengue virus \u2014 particularly serotypes 1, 2,\n3 and 4 of the Indonesian strains \u2014 were indeed far better compared with\nthe commercial vaccines already available in Indonesia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Beti expressed hope that within six months, its efficacy in subjects\nin Indonesia can be observed, and that the results will match those of\nthe pre-clinical trials.<\/p>\n
Director of the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) Ayom\nWidipaminto said that LPDP together with PT Etana is funding the\nvaccine\u2019s prototype and clinical trials, with LPDP providing Rp7 billion\nand PT Etana Rp9 billion. He said the institution is ready to provide\nfunding to ensure Indonesia obtains the vaccines and medical equipment\nit needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the second year, and we will continue into the third year.\nGoing forward, the permanent research fund stands at Rp14 trillion in\ntotal. Each year, Rp1 trillion can be utilised. And there is ample\nroom,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bpom-supports-development-of-indonesia-china-mrna-dengue-vaccine-1783518913", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }